United States Attorney David Metcalf announced today that Niyaz Burgess, 20, of Elkins Park, entered a plea of guilty to carjacking and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

The defendant was charged by indictment in August of last year.

On July 14, 2024, Burgess reportedly carjacked and shot a man on the 6600 block of Limekiln Pike in Philadelphia, then drove away in the victim’s vehicle. The victim suffered two gunshot wounds to the abdomen and one to the arm, resulting in significant internal injuries.

On July 15, 2024, Pennsylvania State Troopers found the victim’s crashed and abandoned car on I-95 South in Tinicum Township. Officials secured the vehicle and transferred it to the custody of the Philadelphia Police Department. Forensic testing subsequently revealed Burgess’s fingerprints and palm print on the stolen vehicle.

Burgess is scheduled to be sentenced on February 15 and faces a maximum possible term of life imprisonment, five years of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, Metcalf said.

This case was investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Violent Crimes Task Force and the Philadelphia Police Department, with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sandra Urban.

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